Success in
handrearing psittacine birds requires good management, cleanliness, good
nutrition, and attention to signs of problems so that they may be
corrected quickly. Commercial handrearing formulas, brooders and other
equipment have taken much of the trial and error out of handrearing,
however adherence to proper use of these products is needed for success.
The art of proper husbandry is still needed for chicks to thrive.

Recognition of
problems, evaluation of clinical signs, and trouble shooting can help to
differentiate problems of a medical nature from husbandry related
problems. The following table was created in order to simplify this
process and help aviculturists know when they need to see a veterinarian
for evaluation and treatment of a neonate.

While some
aviculturists elect to handrear large numbers of birds routinely, others
prefer to handrear only birds which are ill or have been abused or
abandoned by the parents. Keep in mind that these problem chicks are
beginning in a compromised state and therefore a routine exam including
cultures and possibly examination for parasites is indicated prior to the
bird entering the nursery. Viral diseases may also be introduced into the
nursery with the addition of parent raised birds. Some aviculturists
maintain these birds separate from their chicks which are raised from the
egg or have been in the nursery for a while and are stable.

This table is set up
as a checklist of possible problems that should be considered in birds
exhibiting a particular clinical sign. The clinical sign, or symptom, is
listed followed by a differential diagnostics list, diagnostic suggestions
or courses of action. To reduce repetition the reader will be referred to
other sections of the table as a reference. An index follows for easy
location of information. Index of clinical signs

C.
OverfeedingReview feeding scheduleFeed approximately 10% of body
weight/ feedingSome species feed up to 15% of body weightFeeding
too often, allow crop to almost completely empty prior to next feeding

5. CHICK WON'T
EATA. Food too hot or coldCheck temperature and mixing
proceduresFood sitting too long before feedingB. Overfeeding ˝
Chick is obese (See K9)C. Chick stressed or frightenedObserve
behaviorIf bird was recently removed from nest skip meals to allow
bird to become hungryEvaluate handling proceduresMay occur after a
stressful event such as shipping. Let the chick get hungry. Don't force it
to eat.D. Chick is ready to wean Reduce feeding as bird weansE.
Lock JawBordetella infection (or other bacteria possible)Bacterial
culture - choanaF. Chick doesn't like the taste of the foodAdd
sweeteners or flavors to food if other options exhaustedG.
BlindnessChick, which should be weaned and is not eating, may have a
visual problem.

9. CHICK TOO FAT A.
Food too high in calories for species Review dietary recommendations
for the species Some species such as Moluccan cockatoos (Cacatua
moluccensis) have a tendency to become obese. B. Excessive volume of
frequency of feeding for species and age C. Fatty Liver May occur
in obese chicks and can be fatal D. May confuse with ascites (See 25 )

26. CAN'T OPEN MOUTH
A. Lock Jaw Bordetella (a bacteria) infection Other bacteria
may also be involved such as Enterococcus Culture and sensitivity
testing B. Fear or stress ˝ May be associated with pulling from nest
or rough handling

31. RED MASS,
INTESTINE PROTRUDING FROM RECTUM A. Intussussception - Telescoping of
one section of the intestine into another ˝ usually fatal if intestinal
segment is seen protruding from rectum B. Cloacal prolapse ˝
Distinguishable from intussusceptions on physical exam

35. EARS FULL OF
WHITE MATERIAL A. Stunting ˝ small ear opening especially common in
stunted macaws (See 8 ) B. Infection ˝ bacterial, fungal C.
Neotropical psittacines ears are not open at hatching and open at
approximately the same time as the eyes D. Vitamin A deficiency

41. BALLOONING OF
SKIN (AIR UNDER SKIN) A. Subcutaneous emphysema B. Distention of
cervicocephalic airsac C. Air-gulping Swallowing of air during or
after feeding Potentiated by dribble feeding Fermentation of food
in the crop producing gas

42. AIR IN CROP
A. Air-gulping B. Slow feeding, swallowing air with food C.
Forcing air into crop with syringe and/or tube feeding D. Fermentation
of food in the crop